Barcelona starlet set to sign contract extension before securing loan exit – report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona continue to work on incoming and outgoing moves involving their reserve side. One of the cases now in its final phase is that of Andres Cuenca, a centre-back from Barça Atletic, who is on his way out.

The La Masia graduate’s contract expires at the end of the season. Earlier reports suggested that the 18-year-old was set to join Como 1907 on a permanent transfer, with Barcelona securing a 20% future sell-on clause.

From thereon, it was claimed that the Serie A outfit would be loaning him out to Spanish lower league club, Sporting Gijon, for the second half of the season.

Change in plans

However, as per the latest update from Mundo Deportivo, the situation has changed. The plan currently being worked on at Barcelona is a direct loan to Sporting, but only after Cuenca renews his contract with the Catalans.

The reasoning is clear: if he were loaned out now while his contract expires in June, it would effectively be a free exit, something the club do not want.

Cuenca headed to Sporting Gijon on loan. (Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images for DFB)

On the contrary, Barcelona’s intention is to retain control of the La Masia prodigy, who made his first-team debut last season, over the summer and then obtain a transfer fee in return.

As mentioned earlier, the deal with Como for this month would have seen Barça only get a future sell-on clause – a scenario they are now looking to avoid.

A move to the Italian outfit could still materialise in the summer, but it would happen with financial compensation for Barcelona, either through the payment of his release clause or for a lower fee that would include a percentage of a future sale.

Cuenca is already training with Sporting Gijon with the permission of Barcelona, but he has not been included in the Asturian side’s squad for their match against Eibar at Ipurua.

The deal could be finalised soon, though, with the 18-year-old penning a short-term extension before leaving on loan, ensuring that a permanent exit in the summer fetches Barcelona some compensation.